led until after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, under pressure 5 out, never dangerous, tailed off
tracked leaders, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, modest 3rd
held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led last, ran on well
tracked leader, led after 4 out, jumped right 2 out, headed last, no extra closing stages
refused to race
held up in touch, lost place after 4th, behind halfway, tailed off 5 out
A decent hurdler, HATCHER (NAP) has continued his good progress over fences and won both starts over the larger obstacles so far by a wide margin. He’s upped a further 5lb but that might not be enough to anchor Dan Skelton’s charge now handicapping. Valseur Du Granval beat only two rivals over track and trip last month but did so easily and can figure ahead of Capital Force, who returns to chasing partnered by Richard Johnson for the first time. Capitoul progressed nicely over fences last summer and better is expected on his second outing after wind surgery but the remaining trio have some improving to do.
Hatcher (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Made all. clear from 4 out, easily, won at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Apr beating Charming Zen (10-12) by 14l, 4 ran.
Capitoul (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, mistake 2nd and 3rd, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 6, 27 3/4l behind Double W's (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 15 3/4l behind Double W's (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Capital Force (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 2 out, led approaching last, soon headed, every chance and hung left flat, no extra towards finish, 5th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Uno Mas (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 6-5fav (10-7) Tracked leader, challenged 7th, led 9th, drawing easily clear and jumped slightly right last 4, eased towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Railroad Junkie (10-9) by 21l, 3 ran.
Admiral's Secret 11-1 (11-7) Reluctant to go to post, well away, tracked leaders until mistake and lost place and behind 5th, plugged on into modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, 15l behind Lillington (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Spock (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Led until 3 out, jumped left next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 13 1/4l behind Baby King (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
